Xie Jinghong remained silent the entire time.
Yu Mu’an’s gaze swept past him before she continued “Moreover, Second Brother has just entered official service. In the future, he’ll inevitably be promoted.
There are plenty of people who envy him if someone were to seize on any mistake and it affected his career…”
At this, Xie Jinghong couldn’t help but sit up straighter.
“So I believe that punishing them is enough. They should be sent back to relearn the rules, but not sold off, in case they say something they shouldn’t.”
Hu Rui was left speechless.
After a moment, she reluctantly nodded. “An’er is right…
Men, drag them all away and discipline them again. As for that Ping An record his beating for now. If he offends again, the punishment will be doubled!”
“Yes!”
Having her decisions overridden again and again, Hu Rui was extremely irritated.
She waved her hand. “An’er, you’ve worked hard today as well. Go back and rest early.”
Yu Mu’an took her leave.
Behind her, Hu Rui’s voice lowered slightly. “Hong’er, about today’s Hundred Flowers Banquet your Yu Lin…”
Yu Mu’an walked straight ahead, her eyes not straying as she passed the servants sprawled across the ground, unable to rise.
Ping An had taken five blows and was lying on a bench, coaxing the frightened Xie Jingyan.
She lowered her gaze, suppressing the smile at the corner of her lips.
Someone’s about to have a bad time…
With the entire courtyard’s servants cleared out at once, Yu Mu’an felt refreshed in both body and mind and immediately a little hungry.
The kitchen staff had also been dismissed. Anxin rolled up her sleeves and volunteered to prepare a late-night meal for her.
Ju Hong was a bit worried and wanted to check, but she vaguely heard that Xie Jingyan had returned.
Yu Mu’an said, “It’s fine, go ahead.
No matter what noise you hear later, don’t come over. You two stay in the kitchen and prepare food for me.”
In the past, she might have been somewhat wary of Xie Jingyan after all, a madman who struck without reason was dangerous.
But ever since she learned he was pretending, she wasn’t afraid at all.
The punishment boards in the General’s residence were real military rods.
Let alone twenty blows even ten would knock most people unconscious.
Thanks to her plea, Ping An only received five strokes before it stopped.
Even so, he was badly hurt, limping as he walked.
Xie Jingyan charged ahead recklessly, ignoring Ping An’s weak shouts behind him.
The moment he entered, he began kicking and smashing everything in sight.
Like a furious black bear, he stormed straight toward the inner courtyard!
As soon as he entered the room, Yu Mu’an was sitting on the couch, smiling at him.
Her brows relaxed, her expression gentle and warm.
“Husband, you’re back? Would you like some tea?”
There wasn’t a trace of fear on her face.
Xie Jingyan halted mid-step. Even his half-feigned anger faltered.
He immediately adjusted his expression and roared, “Bad person!”
With that, he clenched his fist and swung it straight toward Yu Mu’an’s face!
Ping An shouted from the doorway, “Young Master!!!”
The fist stopped abruptly right in front of her.
Just a tiny bit closer, and it would have struck the bridge of her nose!
Yu Mu’an didn’t dodge or flinch. She simply looked at him quietly, without the slightest fear in her eyes.
Xie Jingyan’s chest rose and fell violently.
Before, he had always seen fear and caution in her eyes.
Ping An rushed in, panting, sliding to his knees and scrambling forward to grab Xie Jingyan’s leg, dragging him back with all his strength.
“Young Master! Calm down! You mustn’t strike the Eldest Young Madam!”
Taking the cue, Xie Jingyan immediately shouted:
“She’s a bad person! I don’t want to play with bad people! I’m going to beat her to death!”
Ping An clung tightly to his leg.
“You’ve misunderstood, Young Master! The Eldest Young Madam is a good person! She’s the one who saved me!”
This performance was even more entertaining than reading a storybook.
Yu Mu’an watched them with an amused half-smile.
Xie Jingyan hesitated, then stopped struggling.
He looked at her suspiciously, then down at Ping An.
“Really?”
Ping An nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes! If not for the Eldest Young Madam saving me, I would’ve been beaten to death with those twenty blows!”
After saying that, he quickly turned and kowtowed.
“Thank you, Eldest Young Madam, for saving my life! I am willing to serve you with my utmost loyalty!”
Yu Mu’an quietly watched the master and servant act.
After so many years, their coordination was flawless.
If she didn’t already know the truth, she would never have seen through it.
Xie Jingyan watched her warily.
Yu Mu’an let out a soft laugh and set down her teacup.
She treated him as if he were truly foolish and openly accepted Ping An’s gratitude.
Although she had caused Xie Jingyan to go out and nearly be discovered, it was also true that she had saved Ping An.
There was no direct conflict of interest between her and Xie Jingyan. At least in name, they were husband and wife she still hoped there might be a chance for cooperation.
After all, the enemy of one’s enemy is an ally.
She even took the initiative to coax Xie Jingyan, sharing part of her late-night meal with him. Her attitude was gentle and patient almost like she was treating her own son.
Soft and tender.
Xie Jingyan couldn’t stand it anymore. Throwing a tantrum, he refused to sleep with her and stormed off to the study.
Ping An looked apologetic, bowed, and hurried after him.
Yu Mu’an couldn’t help but laugh softly.
She had deliberately meant to disgust Xie Jingyan.
You want to pretend to be a fool? Then I’ll treat you like one.
The late-night meal was delicious. Yu Mu’an happily rewarded Ju Hong and slept soundly.
As for why she didn’t reward Anxin…
She had burned through the kitchen pot while cooking, so the silver that was meant as a reward was deducted to buy a new one.
Early the next morning, Nanny Zhang from Wei Rui Xuan arrived at Qingchen Courtyard with a large group of servants.
“Madam said that the Eldest Young Madam currently lacks capable staff, so she sent this old servant to bring some people over.”
Nanny Zhang smiled kindly.
“Eldest Young Madam, take your pick if you like them, you can keep them all!”
Yu Mu’an hadn’t fully woken up yet. While Anxin was helping her get dressed, she nearly fell asleep again.
Now she forced herself to stay alert, sitting upright under the corridor as she swept her gaze across the servants kneeling all over the courtyard.
“Raise your heads,” she said calmly.
Everyone lifted their heads but didn’t dare look at her, keeping their eyes lowered.
Memories from her previous life resurfaced as she saw some of them there were indeed a few familiar faces.
Yu Mu’an didn’t hold back. She pointed out two male servants, two older maids, and two young maids.
“There aren’t many people in my courtyard. I don’t need too many attendants these few will do.”
Nanny Zhang had no objections and prepared to leave with the rest.
“Nanny Zhang.”
Yu Mu’an suddenly called out to her.
“How is Hongjin doing now?”
Nanny Zhang looked a little puzzled.
“The Eldest Young Madam is kind-hearted. Those lazy, slippery servants all kept their lives because you stopped the punishment.”
Yu Mu’an nodded. “That’s good. When Hongjin recovers, if she’s willing, she may return to serve in my courtyard.”
Hearing this, Nanny Zhang’s smile became more genuine.
“If Hongjin knew that the Eldest Young Madam values her, she would be very happy.”
Yu Mu’an smiled gently.
“They were all trained by Mother, after all they’re capable. I find them easy to use. I should be thanking Mother.”
Nanny Zhang bowed. “Yes, this old servant will be sure to pass along your words.”
Yu Mu’an watched as she led the others away, then shifted her gaze back to the six people left in the courtyard.